The New York Bag Waste Reduction Law (Environmental Conservation Law §27-2801, enacted 2019, enforced March 2020) bans most single-use plastic carryout bags statewide. Counties and cities may impose a 5-cent paper bag fee. Reusable bags and certain product bags are exempt.
New York Environmental Conservation Law §27-2801 et seq. — the Bag Waste Reduction Law — bans the distribution of plastic carryout bags by any person required to collect state sales tax. The law was signed in April 2019 and took effect March 1, 2020 after court-imposed delays. Counties and cities may opt in to a 5-cent paper carryout bag fee under ECL §27-2805, with 40% supporting the Environmental Protection Fund and 60% supporting reusable bag distribution to low-income households. New York City, Suffolk County, Westchester, Tompkins, Albany, and Ulster have adopted the fee. Exemptions cover bags used to package bulk items, produce, raw meat/fish, prescriptions, newspapers, restaurant takeout food, and garment bags. Compostable bags do not qualify as substitutes.
Civil penalty up to $250 per violation for first offense, up to $500 for subsequent violations within 12 months under ECL §27-2807. DEC and authorized municipalities issue citations. Each day of non-compliance is a separate violation.
Albany, NY
Albany Police remove abandoned vehicles under New York Vehicle & Traffic Law §1224 and the city's 72-hour street-parking rule. A vehicle is "abandoned" under...
Albany, NY
Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance (Chapter 375) restricts where boats, boat trailers, campers, travel trailers, and recreational vehicles ma...
Albany, NY
New York is one of a small group of states with a "spite fence" statute on the books. Under Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law (RPAPL) §843, any fence o...
Albany, NY
Albany requires a building permit before constructing a new fence or replacing an existing one. Under USDO §375-98 ("Location of Fences and Walls"), fences i...
Albany, NY
Albany has no breed-specific dog ban. New York Agriculture & Markets Law §107(5) expressly preempts breed-specific legislation: municipalities may run their ...
Albany, NY
Albany permits up to six hens (no roosters) at any residential dwelling with a hen license issued by the City Clerk under Chapter 115, Article VIII. The appl...
See how Albany's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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